27 June 2009
Shark attack survivor Achmat Hassiem said he was shocked by the murder of his friend Bianca McGowan, who was found in her St. James office this week in a chair with her hands tied behind her back and her throat slit.
Police have yet to make an arrest.
Hassiem, a former lifeguard whose foot was bitten off by a great white shark at Sunrise Beach in 2006, said he had attended Bergvliet High School with McGowan, 28, who was always upbeat and happy.
"She was a go-getter. I can't picture such a sweet, innocent girl being gone. It was awful to think of what she must have gone through."
Grant Galant, who went out with McGowan at high school, said she was lively and loud.
"Nothing got her down. Bianca was very playful and loved to talk nonsense. Everyone liked her."
He said they had kept in contact via Facebook, which was how he found out about her killing.
Galant said McGowan would often organise functions at the Meadowridge Soccer Club where many of their friends met up.
"She was also organising our 10-year matric reunion."
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the murder investigation was continuing but no arrests had been made.
McGowan, who had worked for a recruitment company in Rodwell Road, St James, for two years, had arrived at work on Tuesday morning and been in her office at the back of the property.
The gruesome discovery was made by McGowan's employer after returning from taking her children to school.
Police said it appeared the killers entered the office through the front door. Nothing appeared to have been stolen.
There has been speculation that the murder was a "hit" by someone connected to the business, but police have not confirmed this.
McGowan's husband, Gary, wrote in an obituary published this week: "To my angel, my wife, my best friend. Words cannot describe the pain I am feeling."
McGowan also leaves her parents, John and Grace Lino, and brother, Warren.
Her funeral will be at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Lansdowne Road, on Monday at 2pm.
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I miss you so much Bianca. I wish you were still with me. I need you so badly right now!